and another ...

I'd started to write a different entry - and I will post it in a few days, hopefully - but today was just so great, I had to write it down so I can come back and remember how golden today was.

My daughter dropped off my granddaughters last night to spend the night so I could take them to church in the morning. J (11) and B (7) go to my church every other weekend. After they were dropped off, we headed over to Souplantation for dinner. Great big salads and tasty soups. It's our favorite place to go! Fresh food, casual atmosphere - we always have such fun together there. The weather had been beautiful all day and the night was still warm when we finished our meals.

This morning, we got up early and went to church. B went to her Faith Formation class and learned about the Good Shepherd; J went with me to mass. It was pretty warm afterward even though it was just 9am, so we decided to head down to the beach for breakfast on the pier.

What a great idea! There is a Ruby's Diner at the end of the pier, and it takes several minutes to walk the length of the pier to the diner, a walk that always puts me in a great mood. The sun was shining brightly, the air was a very warm mid-80s, even at the ocean where it seldom gets really hot. As we walked, we stopped several times to lean against the metal pier railing to watch the surfers. There were a lot out today, even though the waves weren't very big or well-shaped. I think everyone just wanted to be out in this gorgeous weather! Every few minutes, a surfer would paddle to catch a wave as it started to rise and form. Pelicans were flying overhead or skimming the surface of the water, diving periodically and coming up with a fish. Such a golden day! Every minute seemed to linger longer than it usually does, extending time and extending our enjoyment. People were walking up and down the pier, couples strolling along, babies in strollers, teens in summer shorts and tanks. No one wanted to be indoors when this wonderful weather was out to be enjoyed!

When we were seated inside the diner, I happened to be seated facing the ocean out the big bank of picture windows. Looking out, I could clearly see Catalina Island out the windows! It's only 26 miles across the ocean, but there's usually just enough haze to slightly obscure the view. Not today, though! The island was so clear, you could almost make out the boats in the harbor 26 miles away. Fabulous! (You can see the island in the photo at right.)

We lingered over breakfast, just enjoying the day together, laughing and having fun. Afterward, we walked back down the pier, taking our time to stop and watch the people playing volleyball on the beach, or watching a dad take his toddler into the water. At the end of the pier, we stopped in at Pierside Art Gallery. My daughter grew up here in Huntington Beach and loves it (and misses it) so much. At the Gallery, I bought a photo of the pier at sunset after a rain, a beautifully moody photo in various blues. I wanted it as a gift for my daughter so she'd have a bit of her beloved Huntington with her.

Still taking our time with the day, we came back home where the girls changed into swimsuits and off to the pool we went! The girls swam and played in the cool water. They practiced handstands and held contests to hold their breath. The did laps from end to end. Other neighbors came out to sit by the pool, too. It was just too magical a day to stay inside!

Later when my daughter and son-in-law picked them up, it was with smiles all around that I bid my little girls goodbye. We'd had a very, very good day!